|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:06 am
If Riker hadn’t been red before (he was), he would have definitely turned darker when Cassidy said spinel was his birthstone.
How was he supposed to know that!! Well-- that was just great! Fantastic! That meant that Cassidy knew everything about the stupid rock-- And he was spouting out everything about it, too!
He was completely frozen when Cassidy leaned against him, although he might have angled his head a little away from him, he didn’t move otherwise.
“It was just a pretty rock!” he sputtered his denial, but clearly embarrassed. As if he hadn’t stared at each of the cards with information about the stones, trying to find something he thought would fit Cassidy best.
He suspected that Cassidy might know a lot about stones, but he’d never even heard of this rock before! How was he supposed to know? He just thought it was a nice string of sparkly, small beads that looked expensive but managed to fit in his budget. It was a shame that it got broken, but he was able to get it fixed. He just hoped it wouldn’t break again.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:06 am
Cassidy laughed again, this time with more enthusiasm than before. “Well, you’ve got a good eye, Riker! If you didn’t know anything about it then it’s just destiny! It must mean you’ve got good intuition. You’re so red already so I won’t give you a thank-you kiss on the cheek, but just take note that I want to.”
He hadn’t noticed at first, but he was close enough now to see the very faint texture of makeup. If he hadn’t been sitting right next to Riker, he wouldn’t have seen it, or the faint swelling.
“We’ll rain check on that.” When there weren’t so many people around; he knew how self-conscious Riker got, like he was afraid everyone always had their eyes on him and were just waiting to get him in trouble.
“You can bring me pretty rocks anytime. What are you going to do for the rest of break, do you have any plans? It’s been too cold to run, hasn’t it? Even Elliot said he wasn’t going to jog with all the ice.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:06 am
He anxiously glanced around when Cassidy suggested a thank-you kiss, but it turned out that he wasn’t going to give him one, and for that Riker was--
Grateful? Disappointed? Confused as hell, now. Why would he feel like he was missing out on a kind gesture when he obviously wouldn’t want a kiss, anyway?
Except Yvoire had given him a kiss on his cheek before. And Evan had kissed the top of his head. He’d kissed Julian’s forehead. So… it wasn’t that horrible, was it?
He frowned a little at himself, contemplating what he wanted or didn’t want. Maybe it was best not in public, so… he settled on being grateful to Cassidy. Knowing that he wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek. And whatever a rain check meant.
“Just staying out of trouble,” he shrugged, not having to speak very loud with Cassidy so close to him. “Mostly with Julian and Evan. If it’s going to storm or something and you think you’ll end up being alone, I bet you could stay with us. I mean, I’ll have to check, but I doubt they’d say no,” he suggested, not wanting Cassidy to be left on his own if the weather got really bad.
“What about you?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:07 am
“I hope it storms!” Cassidy declared. “I hope we get eight inches of snow and you’re all stuck with me for days! Dad can stay at the hospital, his favorite place in the world, mom can stay with her boyfriend, her favorite person in the world, it works out for everyone.”
He laughed and leaned back in his seat but swiped his drink from the table so he could sip at it. He never took much at a time, not because he was trying to ration it–he could have always just gotten more–but because he just had so much to say all the time. He seemed to be rushing to get it out so he didn’t forget.
And yet, Cassidy’s mind was like a bank and he was always filing information away. He’d settled back into his complacent, lazy demeanor but he was happy. He’d have been happier if he could have just snuggled up against Riker but he supposed Riker might still be trying to preserve his appearance.
Too bad. At least the cold wasn’t still clinging to him.
“You’ll have to tell me if the weather looks bad enough to justify giving me sanctuary. I could always go overload the breakers at my house. I don’t know how to fix that, I would need someone to rescue me from a cold and lonely death.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:07 am
“You could just come over!” Riker sputtered in surprise at how enthusiastic Cassidy was about a potential storm. “Or I could keep you company, too.”
It wasn’t all the time, but Julian did have other friends that he spent time with that Riker wasn’t really comfortable around. He wanted to do his best for Julian’s sake, but he figured it would be easier for everyone if he just took a step back.
Besides, Cassidy looked so happy. Which made Riker flustered because, well, of all the people for Cassidy to be happy to be around, why him? It was something he didn’t know he’d ever understand. He just didn’t see the appeal in himself, although he was grateful that others learned to tolerate him, or even be his friend.
And he knew part of that was his own experiences and thoughts eating away at him. There was probably something redeemable about him.
Of course, then he remembered how Énna wanted practically nothing to do with him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:08 am
“Oh, do you want to?” Cassidy swiveled. “I don’t need permission, you can just come over. I don’t have any shelves for you to put up but we could find something else to keep ourselves busy. Want to play air hockey? I’ve got a table. Or video games. Or movies.”
Or that kiss he’d just rainchecked but he’d have to get creative if he wanted to make a whole sleepover out of it.
“You should visit me more often, you always go hang out with Julian. Do you like Evan’s food more than mine? I’m just teasing, I like his food too. And Maxim is so cute. And Sol, too. And Julian, haha. My bed’s bigger, you guys should come spend the night with me sometime. I wish it was a little warmer, we could go in the jacuzzi. I mean,” he hummed. “Technically we still could, we’d just have to run back inside when we were done. And probably huddle for warmth afterwards.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:08 am
“You have a jacuzzi? Really?” Riker couldn’t help but perk up a little with interest. Although he quickly settled himself down by adjusting the sweater on his lap and picking up his milkshake to sip at.
“I was never allowed. Told it wasn’t for kids. I mean, clearly my older brother wasn’t a kid, since he got to go in,” he shrugged, but there was a bit of melancholy in his voice. It was just one of those things that he knew to never expect to change.
He shrugged a bit and chewed on his straw in thought.
“I mean… we don’t have to do the jacuzzi if it’s too cold for you. And, well, I wouldn’t mind hanging out. I do like your food,” he confirmed, because it was the truth and he didn’t want Cassidy to think he was purposefully trying to avoid him.
Not any more at least.
He wasn’t sure when that changed, though. It wasn’t too long ago that he had a whole panic attack about Cassidy showing up at Atticus’ place. But, if his following conversation with Elliot had been any indication, maybe it was more than just him trying to avoid Cassidy. It was likely that he was just trying to avoid coming to terms with his own feelings. Whatever those were.
And, of course, thoughts like that had him flushed and flustered again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:08 am
“Oh Riker, you’re so sweet. I want to cook for you right now, I’m going to go shopping after this so you have to come over soon while everything’s still fresh.”
He was practically kicking his feet under the table and for all the chill Cassidy usually had, he still felt giddy. He did a decent job hiding it. Though his eyes had lit up, his face was still fixed in his near-permanent smug expression.
“And I do have a jacuzzi! We just got the pump fixed. It’s not for kids under, like, five because they don’t know when they’re too hot. But you and I, I think we could handle it. And the cold. If you promise to help me warm up when we get back inside. Really, you don’t feel the cold until you’re about halfway back to the house, but the last part is rough,” he laughed. “It’s basically a race to beat the cold. You want to? I cleaned up the house a little more, it’s not just all boxes. And you can see all the Christmas decorations before I put it away. Pleeease, come visit me!”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:08 am
Was he sweet? He was just saying how he felt. He didn’t think there was anything he was saying that was intentionally flattering. Oh, he supposed he’d said he liked Cassidy’s food, but it really was the truth. He wasn’t trying to butter him up or anything, but it seemed as though Cassidy was at least enjoying it a bit… what with the way he was smirking at him.
“Yeah okay, you don’t have to beg,” he hissed, glancing around again to make sure no one was thinking he was being a jerk or something for not immediately agreeing to do whatever Cassidy was asking. He thought he saw someone looking their way, but it was probably just his imagination.
“I don’t have a swimsuit,” he sighed after another moment. It wasn’t like he had any reason to have a swimsuit. Sure, there were the springs at Sessrumnir, but he usually just jumped in with his clothes.
The idea of a jacuzzi sounded like fun, though. Even if it was a little cold after. Not that it would matter.
“I’ll… see if Evan has one I can borrow. Or, I mean, it might end up being Zac’s,” he grimaced, if only because he could imagine the looks Zac would give him when he found out he was going to someone’s house for a jacuzzi. But it wasn’t as though he was smaller like Evan was. Even Cassidy was a bit smaller than him, despite being athletic as well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:09 am
“Are you afraid mine have cooties? I mean, if you’d rather get into their pants,” he shrugged, and knew exactly what he was saying, “Are you and I so different in size? Well, better safe than sorry, I guess. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. The jacuzzi’s for relaxing and I don’t want it to get off to a rough start. Especially since it sounds like it’s something you’ve been looking forward to for a while…?”
Mayb not his jacuzzi but Riker had brought up how his brother had been permitted when he wasn’t.
That story hadn’t been told in the tone of someone who was just a wishful thinker; Cassidy could tell there were more layers to it than just what Riker had been willing to touch on. Such was the case with most things Riker talked about. Cassidy didn’t take it personally. Sometimes it just felt like Riker didn’t know how to talk about some things.
It was easy to appreciate that he was trying. Most of the time.
“Why don’t you have a swimsuit? You know how to swim, right? I was thinking about going to the reservoir when it gets a bit warmer, I was just waiting for some of these scars to fade a bit. I mean, I guess I don’t care if I traumatize any kids. It won’t traumatize you to see me shirtless, right?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:09 am
“What?” Riker stared in confusion, not understanding the comment about cooties. Oh, like, if he wore Cassidy’s swimsuits? His ears and cheeks flushed and he shrunk down a little in his seat.
“I dunno, I’m usually a thirty-two. I thought you’d be, like… twenty-eight or something. Not-- not that I’ve looked at your waist size-- I mean--” he sputtered, feeling silly for even suggesting not just borrowing Cassidy’s. So what if it was a little tight, right? Swimsuits usually had drawstrings, didn’t they? He wasn’t well versed in the varieties but he supposed that was normal.
And traumatizing him while shirtless? Riker shook his head, but immediately seemed to have second thoughts. He frowned a bit, fidgeting with the sweater. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. Being in a jacuzzi obviously meant taking off his shirt. And he tended to wear long sleeves even in the summer for a reason.
“You wouldn’t traumatize me,” he clarified, but he was aware he was sounding more miserable than before. “Maybe it’s not a good idea. I mean…--”
Atticus, or rather Ephesus, had found Cassidy a swim shirt to wear. Maybe Riker could just do that, too. He didn’t want to sound like he was backing out, especially if it would make Cassidy think he was being brushed aside or something.
“I know how to swim,” he whined instead. “I won’t be going to the Olympics, but I can-- you know-- get from one side of a pool to the other.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:09 am
If Riker hadn’t already been withdrawing into himself, Cassidy would have teased him for thinking about his waist size. “Come with me to the reservoir in the summer, then! I’ve never been. I’ve seen videos about the squeaky sand, and there’s this rumor about a lake monster! Let’s go camping, maybe we can find it. Oh, haha! Just kidding, wait. I’m not supposed to do that. But I bet if we ever wanted to go camping, Elliot would take us. I know he’s been, and Mr. Gallo is like, a survival expert, so I’m sure Atticus must be experienced.”
Or at least well-equipped.
“But for the jacuzzi,” he waved his hand nonchalantly, “There’s no need to be worried about it. Bring some extra pairs of trunks if you’re worried about fitting into mine! I don’t even care if you want to go in wearing a full outfit! It’s just going to be hard to get out of. It’ll be fun,” he reassured. Just because Riker started to think it might not be a good idea didn’t mean Cassidy was going to let him back out so easily.
Riker wanted to get in the jacuzzi, Cassidy wasn’t going to let him talk himself out of it.
“I wear a tanktop when I go in, you can borrow one of mine. And I’ve got robes and flip flops, don’t worry. I won’t let you actually freeze. It’ll be fun, I’m really looking forward to it, Riker. I’ll set the–Oh! I’ll set the backyard up with lights, it’ll be magical. I hope it snows before you come over so you can see how pretty it is.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:09 am
All Riker could do for the few minutes Cassidy rambled on was just sit there and chew anxiously on his cheek. He hadn’t expected Cassidy to let him get out of something he’d agreed to so easily, but maybe he’d underestimated the enthusiasm.
“Alright,” he reluctantly agreed, already planning on maybe wearing more than just swim trunks. Especially since it would be so cold! He wasn’t sure what he was going to use as an excuse about the reservoir, but he supposed that would be a problem for another day.
“You don’t have to make it fancy. I can come over. You want me over in a couple days? What about tomorrow?” he half joked, not really expecting much of it. Cassidy needed time to prepare.
“I can help you with cooking. I can cut tomatoes and grate cheese. I’m really good with cheese.” Another gentle joke.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:09 am
“Come over tomorrow!” Cassidy decided, because it was never going to be soon enough. He’d have had Riker over today regardless of how desperate it made him look. Cassidy might have played it off well but he’d already practically admitted that he was lonely on his own, hadn’t he?
Riker was smart, he’d have figured it out even if Cassidy hadn’t said it.
Sure, the connections he had online were great, but it wasn’t Riker falling asleep in bed next to him great.
“Can’t believe you didn’t try to sneak a cheese pun in there. You’re ‘really good’ with cheese? Not ‘grate’?” He laughed to himself, not really a fan of puns but certainly a fan of teasing Riker. “I’m excited to have you help me in the kitchen, you can help me with all the food prep, I’ll appreciate it. Just don’t give Evan any of my grandmother’s recipes!”
He was comfortable and stretched out, pressing against the back of the seat. Riker was close, shoulder to shoulder, but it wasn’t exactly what he wanted. If they’d been somewhere else, somewhere more private, he could have actually rested against him.
Oh well, tomorrow wasn’t so far away.
Once more, Cassidy held the bracelet up to admire it. “I’m just kidding, don’t worry. But you know, Riker? This is my new favorite thing. I’m going to wear this bracelet all the time.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 8:10 am
For a moment, Riker just stared at Cassidy, and then he snorted quietly in amusement, followed by a laugh.
“I guess I’m not good with puns,” he snickered softly with a grin, still conscious of drawing too much unwanted attention. “I’ll have to use that on Evan at some point,” he decided. Because why not? Evan was always stressed out it seemed, and he knew a good part of that stress was because of him. Maybe he could help him relax a little more, since it clearly worked on him.
He didn’t want to be too obvious, but he was quietly pleased that Cassidy seemed to like the bracelet so much. Maybe picking out his birthstone completely by chance was more than just a coincidence. Or maybe it was just the color that caught his eye.
Of course, now that he was making plans for the next day, he would have to maybe write a note on a package and see if he could get that to send to Cassidy from Reims. If not, he could just hide it at their usual meeting spot near the fountain before making his way over to Cassidy’s house.
Hopefully Cassidy wouldn’t mind not seeing Reims for a few more days.
Fin!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
